University of Houston Athletics
J’Wan Roberts Named to Karl Malone Award Watch List
10/31/2024 11:37:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Graduate star recognized among nation’s best power forwards
HOUSTON – University of Houston graduate forward J'Wan Roberts was named to the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award on Thursday.Roberts was one of 20 student-athletes selected nationally. The award recognizes the best power forward in NCAA Division I basketball and is presented by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
This was the latest preseason honor for Roberts. The St. Thomas, V.I., native was one of 50 student-athletes named to the Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy Player of the Year Watch List presented by Axia Time.
He also joined graduate guard LJ Cryer on the Preseason All-Big 12 Conference First Team, making Houston the only school with two First-Team honorees.
Karl Malone Award fan voting presented by Dell Technologies opens Friday, and Houston fans are encouraged to cast their ballots for Roberts early and often.
As the 2024-25 season continues, the Watch List will remain fluid. The List will narrow to 10 student-athletes in late January with the five finalists presented to Malone and the Hall of Fame's selection committees.
The winner of the Karl Malone Award will be presented on a to-be-determined date with the other four members of the Naismith Starting Five.
A year ago, All-American guard Jamal Shead was honored as a finalist for the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year while All-American guard Marcus Sasser received the Jerry West Award following the 2022-23 season.
ABOUT J'WAN ROBERTS
A four-year letterman, Roberts has been a leader in the Houston frontcourt for years. With Thursday's announcement, he collected the first preseason conference honor of his career.
He led Houston and finished sixth in the Big 12 with 6.8 rebounds per game and was one of only three student-athletes to rank among the league's Top-10 leaders in both offensive and defensive rebounding.
Roberts tallied four double-doubles and led the Cougars with six double-digit rebounding performances on the way to receiving All-Big 12 Third-Team honors.
As he enters the 2024-25 season, Roberts ranks among Houston's Top-10 career leaders in wins, games played and rebounds and is poised to set school records in the first two categories.
He is also tied for the school record with 63 wins inside Fertitta Center and could become only the fourth student-athlete in Houston history to record 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds during his career.
2024-25 KARL MALONE POWER FORWARD of the AWARD WATCH LIST
| Name | School |
| J'Wan Roberts | Houston |
| Grant Nelson | Alabama |
| Trey Towsend | Arizona |
| Johni Broome | Auburn |
| Norchad Omier | Baylor |
| Ian Scieffelin | Clemson |
| Graham Ike | Gonzaga |
| Will Riley | Illinois |
| Malik Reneau | Indiana |
| Coleman Hawkins | Kansas State |
| Julian Reese | Maryland |
| Cade Tyson | North Carolina |
| Caden Pierce | Princeton |
| Bryce Hopkins | Providence |
| JT Toppin | Texas Tech |
| Donnie Freeman | Syracuse |
| Yaxel Lendeborg | UAB |
| Alex Karaban | UConn |
| Eric Dixon | Villanova |
| Great Osobor | Washington |
BUY 2024-25 TICKETS
Non-season ticket holders interested in purchasing season tickets are invited to place their names on the Season Ticket Wait List by clicking here.
UP NEXT
Roberts and the Cougars open their regular season when they play host to Jackson State at 7 p.m., Monday, inside Fertitta Center.
From there, Houston meets #11/11 Auburn during the Mattress Firm Battleground 2k24 inside Toyota Center on Nov. 9. The Cougars will be the second game of a doubleheader inside Toyota Center in downtown Houston beginning at 8:30 p.m., with Rice facing Florida State at 6 p.m., in the first game.
Fans can purchase tickets for the Mattress Firm Battleground 2k24 by clicking here.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Men's Basketball by supporting Linking Coogs – UH's NIL collective – and by joining the 50-50 Club, which provides financial support directly to Houston Men's Basketball for needs beyond its operating budget.
Fans who join the 50-50 Club will receive embroidered Jordan Brand team apparel, invitations to exclusive events, regular updates about the program and much more.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.
– UHCougars.com –
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